Russia plans to restrict imports of industrial products from EU and US

Russia is preparing to reply to the sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States by banning industrial products from these countries. The information was spread by Russian media source Vedomosti, which says a possible measure from Moscow could be a complete or almost complete ban on the imports of vehicles from unfriendly countries. Based on the information received from two state officials Vedomosti said the government submitted a report to the president Vladimir Putin several days after the EU and the US had imposed sanctions on Russia. The report suggested a variety of retaliatory sanctions but it was decided that they would ban import of meat, fruit, vegetables and dairy products from the US and the EU. In the case of the EU and the US strengthen sanctions against Russia, Prime Minister Dimitri Medvedev has not excluded the banning of the transit via Russia in the Asia-Pacific Ocean region.

According to Vedomosti, presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said Russia has had to impose the sanctions and it will consider broader retaliatory measures in the case the EU and the US take new steps against Moscow. Peskov is sure the demand can be met by domestic production. Reportedly the Russian government is considering putting restrictions on imported medical equipment, but as the issue is highly sensitive no decision has been made so far.

On the other hand the EU is preparing to help those affected by Russian sanctions. The European Commission is going to allocate 125 million EUR to assist farmers hit by Russia's ban on food imports from the 28-nation bloc, which coincided with the harvesting season and led to great losses for producers. The farmers, who decide to not harvest some of their goods or give products away for free, will receive compensation from the EC.

Georgian Foreign Minister, Maia Panjikidze says Georgia may be among the countries Russia is planning to impose additional sanctions on. However, the Minister believes Georgia will be able to handle the difficult situation.